Summary
Although much information about people who dump in dumpsters can be made, the author tries not to make any conclusions since this would be unethical (Eighner, 1994). The author finally gives advice to those that have to scavenge but cannot enter the dumpster. The author says he is now able to value the things he has even more since he has nothing. He concludes that even if scavenging is frowned upon, it is an activity that is surprisingly pleasant. According to the author it is better to dumpster dive than sit at home at night and watch television (Eighner, 1994).
Connection to Other Texts
There is the definite connection between this text and others. Eighner portrays were scavenging in a positive light. According to Eighner, scavenging is an activity that although not preferable can be quite pleasant. Other text concerning dumpster divers portray them in a negative light. They are seen as menaces that ruin the scenic beauty of the city. Eighner's essay shows that scavenging is a viable option that can be beneficial to those who do not have another way (Eighner, 1994). Contrary to Eighner’s essay, other texts about them portray them as lazy people who are too lazy to look for a job so as to make a living. Eighner portray scavenging as a source of livelihood for those that have no other option.
Homelessness in Austin
Eighner’s exploits take place in the city of Austin. He ventures into dumpster diving had started a couple of years before he lost his job and his home. The little earning he got could not sustain his livelihood; he, therefore, used it to pay rent (Eighner, 1994) and for the rest he took to the dumpsters. After he had become homeless, he had to scavenge in order to cater for his basic needs such as food and clothes.
Homelessness seems to be an issue in the city of Austin. He seems to have had a job that he lost. Due to the hard economic times, this is quite possibly the situation with many people. The author seems to be well educated to write such a paper. He says in the text that he would like to have a comfortable consumer (Eighner, 1994) life although he has come to terms with the life of a scavenger. The fact that he cannot get a job means that joblessness is an issue in this town. Joblessness is one of the major contributors to homelessness.
Organization
Eighner's essay is arranged in such a way that the reader is comfortable reading about all the gory details of scavenging in a dumpster. The author starts with the definition of the term dump so that the stereotype that is associated with dumpsters can be removed from the mind of the reader. He then follows it by explaining how he became homeless. This enables the reader to sympathize with the situation further decreasing the stigma that is associated with homelessness. The third section of the essay explains how to determine food from dumpsters that are fit for consumption. This enables the reader to stop the assumption that all the foods that are eaten by the scavengers are rotten or spoilt. It also humanizes the author in the minds of the audience since he seems genuinely concerned with the wellbeing of other scavengers. It also builds interest enabling the reader read the essay further.
A Typical Homeless Person
The main reason behind Eighner becoming homeless is poverty. He started scavenging because all the money he got was used on rent (Eighner, 1994). Soon after the money was not enough even for rent therefore he had to go live in the streets. Eigner is a typical case of a homeless person. Most people are homeless due to poverty. In the essay, Eighner says that he would prefer to have some other kind of life meaning that his current circumstance does not allow him to. Most homeless people cannot find their desired jobs. They, therefore, settle to scavenging to at least have some food and clothes to wear.
America’s Civilization and Culture
The contents found in the dumpsters speak to the nature of the people that are in the surrounding society. In the society that the author is in, the people in that society vary in several things. Most of the things in that society are sad in nature. Dumped dolls and shredded wedding books (Eighner, 1994) show sadness in the people who live in that society. Other things found in the dumpsters that speak to the sad nature of the people in that society include pills, modes of contraception among others. These things depict a society that was once happy but over time, the happiness was overwhelmed by sadness.
Human Nature
There are two groups that make the hierarchy of those that dive in dumpsters. The first group is the scavengers who rummage through the garbage cans in order to get food; clothes or things that they can that have a relatively short life time. The other group is the can scroungers. This group looks for cans that they intend to trade in order to get a few dollars for drugs. The scroungers destroy everything in the dumpster in search for the cans. The divers hate to see something good go to waste. As such the can scrounges litter and mix the good stuff with the bad while the scavengers take what they need and the good stuff that they will not take they leave in plain sight for the benefit of someone else (Eighner, 1994).
Conclusions on Human Nature
The two groups speak to some extent towards the nature of human beings. The groups show that a humanity has two sides; one is the complete contrast of the other. While one part of the society is intent of helping each other and having some sense of community, the other is selfish and look out only or themselves. This faction of the society is not only satisfied in taking care of themselves; they are intent on making sure that no one else can benefit from the same. This is in contrast with the other group (represented by the scavengers) who lookout for each other. They take only what they need and leave the rest for someone who is in more need. The only similarity between the two groups in the representation of the nature of humanity is that none of them keeps anything for too long. Save for a small group of people in the community, most of the people are eager to spend whatever they have as soon as they can so as not to lose it.
Eighner feels sorry for those that sit in the house and rummage through the television channels in search for something interesting to see. This is because they gain nothing from their scavenging unlike the very rich and the scavengers who know there is plenty where they come from (Eighner, 1994).
Works Cited
Eighner, Lars. "On Dumpster Diving." Travels with Lizbeth. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1993. 161-170. Print.
